Small Molecule Inhibitors of HIV Nef Signaling
Description: PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: While current antiretroviral drugs keep HIV replication in check, they do not clear the virus from the body and require life-long drug administration to prevent relapse. Because chronic antiretroviral drug exposure contributes to clinical metabolic disturbances, organ damage and drives drug resistance, we have developed a drug discovery program targeting HIV-1 Nef as an alternative drug target. Nef, an accessory protein encoded by the virus, boosts HIV replication and promotes immune escape of virally infected cells, contributing to HIV persistence. Inhibitors of Nef function may prevent viral spread in vivo and restore recognition of HIV-infected cells by the patient's own immune system, potentially eradicating the virus.
Funding type: research
Funder scheme: R01
Start date: 2003-07-01
End date: 2021-04-30
Investigator: THOMAS E. SMITHGALL
Institution: UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH
Topic: HIV Research and Treatment
Subfield: Virology
Field: Immunology and Microbiology
Domain: Life Sciences
Funded outputs count: 45
Funder award ID: R01AI057083
OpenAlex ID: G2492431197